Abstract

Objectives Emotional issues such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are common following a cardiac event. Despite their high prevalence, they often go undiagnosed and research suggests that men in particular are at higher risk. Therefore, a better understanding of men’s experiences with a cardiac event and ensuing health services is key for adapting approaches that meet their needs. The aim of this study was to describe the self-reported emotional challenges that men face following a cardiac event and to understand their patterns of psychosocial adjustment.

Conclusions Healthcare professionals caring for men following a cardiac event must be aware of the psychological and social adjustments that accompany the physical challenges. However, there is a lack of explicit guidelines, tools and clinical training in men-sensitive approaches. Further research is required to better inform clinical practices and healthcare services.

depression & mood disorders

qualitative research

rehabilitation medicine

coronary heart disease

ischaemic heart disease

myocardial infarction

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Footnotes

Contributors All authors (JJ, JG, MHC, FT, HT, BDA and PSG) have contributed significantly to the design of the project, the planning and the conduct of the data collection. They participated in the team work for the analysis of the data (development of the codebook, training of the research assistants for first coding and codes’ organisation), discussions if consensus was not achieved and worked collaboratively on second coding and conceptual categorisation) and the discussion of the results. JJ and JG prepared the first manuscript draft; all authors contributed to, reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Funding This paper represents independent research, for which authors received funding from the Movember Foundation-Canada and from the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation. JJ was provided the logistic and financial support by the Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick to support this publication.

Data availability statement Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available.

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